Yarn bobbin support device

ABSTRACT

A holder for a yarn bobbin is provided which includes a concave base, a central post which extends upwardly through a central opening in the base and a support element coaxial with the post which includes an upper annular collar which fits closely around the post and a plurality of downwardly depending legs which are joined together at the bottom by a second annular collar and are bowed outwardly to form a gripping surface for engaging the internal surface of the bobbin. A stretchable fabric seat fits over the base and a nut screwed onto the post controls bowing of the legs and hence the effective diameter of the discontinuous gripping surface defined thereby.

United States Patent [191 Muchnick [1 11 3,811,636 May 21, 1974 YARN BOBBIN SUPPORT DEVICE Fred B. Muchnick, 71 N. 6th St., Kew Gardens Hills, NY.

[22] Filed: Dec. 5, 1972 [2|] Appl. No.: 312,312

[76] Inventor:

Remington 242/l30 Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian Attorney, Agent, or FirmLarson, Taylor & Hinds 5 7] ABSTRACT A holder for a yarn bobbin is provided which includes a concave base, a central post which extends upwardly through a central opening in the base and a support element coaxial with the post which includes an upper annular collar which fits closely around the post and a plurality of downwardly depending legs which are joined together at the bottom by a second annular collar and are bowed outwardly to form a gripping surface for engaging the internal surface of the bobbin. A stretchable fabric seat fits over the base and a nut screwed onto the post controls bowing of the legs and hence the effective diameter of the discontinuous gripping surface defined thereby.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures YARN BOBBIN SUPPORT DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a holder or mounting device for cones or bobbins of yarn and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Manufacturers of both synthetic and natural yarns conventionally wind the finished product into a cone used in the production of fabrics from the yarns. Such cones are positioned in knitting machines in a generally upright position so that the yarn can be freely and uniformly unwound therefrom, with particular attention being paid to preventing entangling of the yarn beneath the cone to avoid breakage. The cone, which is actually a frustum of a cone or even a cylinder in some embodiments, is conventionally constructed of paper, pastebaord or plastic and a large number of different supports or holders have been devised for supporting such cones. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,233,064 (Kretzschmar); 1,454,660 (Tuttle); 1,984,571 (Epps); 2,158,262 (Van Den Bergh); and 2,704,643 (Lambach) for examples of the prior art and a further discussion of the general field of invention. It will, of course, be understood that the patents listed are merely exemplary and this list is in no way represented as being exhaustive. In general, devices of the prior art which provide any substantial versitility in use are expensive and- /or complex in construction, or else only marginally effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, a bobbin or cone holder is provided which affords many of the advantages of the prior art while being generally simpler, more rugged and less expensive to manufacture than devices exhibiting similar characteristics and advantages in use. The holder of the invention is readily adaptable to accommodate various sizes and shapes of conical and tubular wound yarn packages. In addition,

a tight fitting seat attached to the upper portion of a concave shaped base support hugs the base of the yarn package to prevent snarling or snagging of yams being drawn into the knitting machine in which the holder is used.

According to a preferred embodiment thereof, a bobbin holder is provided comprising the concave shaped base referred to above, a central post which is secured to and extends upwardly from the base, and a splined support element including an upper annular collar which fits around the post and a plurality of bowed, resilient legs which define a generally cylindrical, discontinuous support surface that can be expanded by compressive forces exerted by a width control nut screwed onto the central post so that bobbins of varying internal diameters can be accommodated. As mentioned, a seat, preferably of a stretchable knitted fabric, is stretched over the upper surface of the concave base so as to engage the bottom of the yarn package and thereby prevent the snarling and snagging of the yarn referred to.

The splined support element preferably includes a lower annular member or annulus which is joined to the upper annular collar by the intermediate bowed legs referred to hereinabove. The holder preferably includes a separate central ring or annulus which fits loosely around the central post and over which the seat or cover is fitted. The radius of this annulus is less than that of the lower annulus of the support element which fits therearound so that the knitted cover is captured therebetween. All of the elements of the holder are preferably constructed of plastic except for the width control nut which may be a standard metal hexangonal nut. The bowed support legs preferably include ridges or other protuberances on the outwardmost portions thereof so as to provide a tight, friction fit with the inner surface of the bobbin cone or tube.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in, or apparent from, the detailed description of a preferred embodiment found hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bobbin holder or support constructed in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the holder or support of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross sectional views of the holder of FIG. 1 showing the holder in use and illustrating how the holder can be adjusted to accommodate yarn bobbins of different internal diameters;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a detail of the support element of the holder of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of a further detail of the holder of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, and more particularly to the latter, a yarn bobbin holder or support constructed according to the invention is shown. The holder, which is generally denoted 10, includes a dished or concave circular base member 12 having a central aperture 12a therein and including an upwardly extending, annular guide portion 12b which surrounds aperture 12a. As perhaps can best be seen in FIG. 3, base member 12 also includes a flat-sided central disc portion 12c the upper surface of which is recessed at 12d relative to the curved side walls which are denoted l2e.

An. elongate central support post 14 extends upwardly through aperture 12a, guide portion 12b serving in positioning post 14. Post 14 includes a threaded upper portion 14a and a lower end cap 14b which is keyed or shaped, as illustrated in FIG. 2, to fit into reciprocally shaped recess (not shown in detail but indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4) at the base of aperture 12a in base 12 so to fix the angular orientation post 14 relative to base 12.

A support member 16 fits over central post 14 and is positioned coaxially therewith. Support member 16 includes an upper annular collar portion 160, a lower annular collar portion 16b of greater diameter than collar 16a and six equispaced, intermediate leg members or legs 16c which join upper collar 16a to lower collar 16b. Upper collar 16a surrounds post 14 and may include a downwardly depending guide portion (not shown) to further aid in orienting the support member 16. As illustrated, legs each include a central lower bowed portion 16d which extends outwardly beyond lower collar 16b. These bowed portions 16d form or define a discontinuous cylindrical surface which as explained below serves to engage and support the internal surfaces of a cardboard or plastic cone or tube of a conventional yarn bobbin. As shown in FIG. 5, bowed portions 16d of legs 16 each include a series of spaced, transverse ridges 16e which enhance gripping of these internal surfaces. Legs 16c are preferably formed integrally with collars 16a and 16b froma resilient plastic material.

An annular locator member 18 fits in recess 12d of base 12 around guide portion 12b, locator member 18 resting on a raised annular ridge 12f on the upper surface of disc portion 12c.

A seat is stretch fit over the upper surface of base 12. Seat 20 is generally circular to match the shape of base 12 and is constructed of a knitted fabric with an elastic band or the like, denoted 20a, sewn into the lower peripheral edge (see FIG. 3). Band 20a fits over a downwardly depending ridge 12g on the undersurface of base 12, as illustrated, ridge 12f and band 20a cooperating to tension the seat 20 over the curved upper surface l2e of base 12. Seat 20 also includes a central aperture 20b through which post 14 and guide portion 12a of base 12 extend. Locator member 18 is positioned beneath seat 20 in recess 12d and, as can best be seen in FIG. 6, a portion of the seat 20 surrounding aperture is captured beween lower collar 16b of support member 16 and locator member 18 to hold the seat 20 place and, in cooperation with elastic band 20a, aids in tensioning seat 20. The seat 20 is normally held taut as indicated in the left hand side of FIG. 3 but when a cone or tube of yarn is placed on top of seat 20, the weight of the package depresses the knitted fabric cover 20 thereby causing the same to conform to the generally convex shape of the bottom of the yarn package. Thus, seat as discussed hereinabove, prevents snagging and snarling of the yarn during unwinding thereof from the bobbin.

A support diameter control nut 22, which can be a standard hexagonal metal nut, is screwed onto the threaded end 14a of post 14. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, nut 22 engages the upper collar portion 16a of support member 16 and by adjusting the positioning of nut 22 along post 14, the amount of bowing of legs 16 can be controlled. This permits bobbins of different internal diameters to be accommodated, FIG. 3 illustrating the position of nut 22 which causes bowing of legs 16 so as to engage and support a first bobbin B1 of a first diameter and FIG. 4 illustrating the position of nut 22 which causes sufficient bowing of legs 16 to engage and support a second bobbin B1 of a second, greater diameter. It will be understood that the gripping surface defined by the bowed portions of legs 16 can engage the inner surfaces of conical or cylindrical bobbin cones.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the bobbin holder of the invention enables support of bobbins of varying sizes and shapes, while at the same time is of simple construction, can be rapidly and easily assembled and is inexpensive to manufacture. All of the elements of the holder apart from the nut 22 and the seat 20, are preferably constructed of a relatively light weight plastic thus providing reduced weight and expense relative to similar devices of the prior art.

Although the invention has been described relative to an exemplary embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be effected in this embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A yarn bobbin holder for a bobbin cone or tube about which strands of yarn or the like are wound, said holder comprising a disc-like base member presenting a concave upper surface, a partially threaded, vertical post member extending upwardly from the center of said concave surface, a cone support member including a plurality of resilient support legs substantially equally spaced peripherally around said post member so as to define a substantially cylindrical, discontinuous support surface, an upper annular collar integral with said legs which supports said post and which joins said legs together at the upper ends thereof, and a lower annular collar integral with said legs which surrounds said post and which joins said legs together at the lower ends thereof, a width control nut screwed onto the upper end of said post member tightening or loosening of which controls the downward force exerted against said support member so as to control the amount of bowing of said legs and hence the effective diameter of the support surface defined by said legs, a stretchable seat, stretched over the upper surface of said base member and including a central aperture through which said post member extends, for preventing snarling or snagging of the strands unwound from the cone, and an annular locator member mounted concentrically with said post member and having a central aperture through which said post member extends, said lower collar fitting around said locator member and the portion of said seat adjacent the central aperture in said seat fitting over said locator member and being captured between said lower collar and said locator member, said seat comprising a knitted fabric having elastic means sewn in the peripheral edges thereof for securing said seat to said base member and said legs each incl uding gripping means on the outer surface thereof for enhancing gripping of the yarn bobbin cone.

2. A yarn bobbin holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gripping means comprise ridges on the outer surfaces of said legs.

3. A yarn bobbin holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base member includes a central recess therein in which said locator member and said lower annular collar of said support member are received.

4. A yarn bobbin holder as claimed in claim 3 wherein said support member comprises six said legs, said legs including a central portion which is bowed outwardly relative to the upper and lower annular collars.

5. A yarn bobbin holder as claimed in claim 4 wherein said base member, said post member, said cone support member and said locator member are constructed of a plastic material and said width control nut comprises a standard hexagonal metal nut. 

1. A yarn bobbin holder for a bobbin cone or tube about which strands of yarn or the like are wound, said holder comprising a disc-like base member presenting a concave upper surface, a partially threaded, vertical post member extending upwardly from the center of said concave surface, a cone support member including a plurality of resilient support legs substantially equally spaced peripherally around said post member so as to define a substantially cylindrical, discontinuous support surface, an upper annular collar integral with said legs which supports said post and which joins said legs together at the upper ends thereof, and a lower annular collar integrAl with said legs which surrounds said post and which joins said legs together at the lower ends thereof, a width control nut screwed onto the upper end of said post member tightening or loosening of which controls the downward force exerted against said support member so as to control the amount of bowing of said legs and hence the effective diameter of the support surface defined by said legs, a stretchable seat, stretched over the upper surface of said base member and including a central aperture through which said post member extends, for preventing snarling or snagging of the strands unwound from the cone, and an annular locator member mounted concentrically with said post member and having a central aperture through which said post member extends, said lower collar fitting around said locator member and the portion of said seat adjacent the central aperture in said seat fitting over said locator member and being captured between said lower collar and said locator member, said seat comprising a knitted fabric having elastic means sewn in the peripheral edges thereof for securing said seat to said base member and said legs each including gripping means on the outer surface thereof for enhancing gripping of the yarn bobbin cone.
 2. A yarn bobbin holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gripping means comprise ridges on the outer surfaces of said legs.
 3. A yarn bobbin holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base member includes a central recess therein in which said locator member and said lower annular collar of said support member are received.
 4. A yarn bobbin holder as claimed in claim 3 wherein said support member comprises six said legs, said legs including a central portion which is bowed outwardly relative to the upper and lower annular collars.
 5. A yarn bobbin holder as claimed in claim 4 wherein said base member, said post member, said cone support member and said locator member are constructed of a plastic material and said width control nut comprises a standard hexagonal metal nut. 